This week in Island history

The news of 10 and 15 years ago is from the JamestownPress. The news of 100 years ago came from thecollection of the Newport Historical Society.

100 years agoFrom the Newport Daily News, October 6, 1908

The voting lists for the fall election, with 247 names thereon, have been posted for the fall election.

From the Newport Daily News, October 7, 1908

Mr. Glass Littlefield and Mr. George Peckham are making arrangements for the first dance of the winter season.

A heavy sea is running at Beavertail today, evidently coming from some storm off shore, as there has been no local disturbance with enough wind to cause it.

From the Newport Daily News, October 8, 1908

The telephone central in the Gardner House has closed for the season and local calls have to go through the Newport office. With the changing of the connection the telephone numbers are changed, and for a few days "information" will be kept busy straightening out the tangles.

75 years agoFrom the Newport Daily News, October 9, 1933

Plans for the $1,500,000 bridge to connect Jamestown and Saunderstown were furthered Monday evening at a meeting of the Jamestown town council when a committee of three was appointed to examine the project carefully, and if feasible, to lay it before the Rhode Island advisory committee of the NRA.

From the Newport Daily News, October 12, 1933

A meeting was held at Maplewood Wednesday af- ternoon for the purpose of forming a Current Events club, Mrs. William P. Bates was elected temporary chairman.

50 years agoFrom the Newport Daily News, October 10, 1958

The Jamestown Town Council last night accepted the bid of Lawson and Carr of Jamestown of $1,934 for a new Town Hall heating system. This was the lowest bid received.

25 years agoFrom the Newport Daily News, October 6, 1983

About 300 acres of Jamestown land is set to be named as an archeological district on the National Register, but the impact for property owners should be minimal. About 40 Jamestown residents heard explanations concerning the property's proposed designation at an informational meeting.

From the Newport Daily News, October 7, 1983

State highway officials say they hope to commit more than $150 million over the next fiscal year to highway and bridge improvements, including a $68 million expenditure for a new Jamestown Bridge.

15 years agoFrom the Jamestown Press, October 7, 1993

The water level at North Pond reservoir has dropped two inches since last Thursday, and despite two-tenths of an inch of rain, the pond's surface area is noticeably reduced. "If the (National) Guard was not delivering water, we'd have only two weeks (supply) left," Town Administrator Frances Shocket said Tuesday.

Two attorneys fielded legal questions last week over offering school choice to the parents of the Jamestown high school students during a public workshop on the issue at Melrose School.

Opponents of the cross-island highway are set today to file a brief in the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals summarizing their arguments against a federal judge's August decision that gave the state's road project a go ahead.

10 years agoFrom the Jamestown Press, October 8, 1998

Before they even come up with a recommendation, the town appointed Highway Garage Committee is under attack, and a growing number of north end residents are stepping forward to protest two proposed locations, as well as the proposed size of the new public works "barn."

Members of the Quonset Point Davisville Liaison Committee presented the positive and negative aspects to the proposed container port to an audience made up of the Town Council and residents who clearly saw it as having only a negative impact on the quality of life in Jamestown.